A SOUTH Scotland MSP has warned that A&E services in NHS Ayrshire & Arran could face a "terrifying" winter.

Conservative politician Sharon Dowey expressed concern that if waiting times at A&E departments are poor during the summer, the situation "could worsen during winter".

She accused the Scottish Government of leaving NHS services in "permanent crisis" and having no positive vision to fix it.

She said: "A&E waiting times in NHS Ayrshire & Arran remain absolutely appalling.

"Given only 68 per cent of patients were seen during August, the prospect for patients and dedicated staff in NHS Ayrshire & Arran during the winter months is terrifying.

"Our NHS staff work tirelessly in NHS Ayrshire & Arran to deliver for patients every day but the SNP Government must get a grip of this situation and support them.

"Successive SNP health secretaries have left A&E services in NHS Ayrshire & Arran in a state of permanent crisis and they have no positive vision to fix it.

"The Scottish Conservatives have put forward a bold plan to deliver a modern, efficient and local health service and I urge Neil Gray and the SNP to adopt our proposals."

The MSP's warning comes after figures revealed that only 68 per cent of patients were seen within four hours at NHS Ayrshire & Arran A&E departments during August.

At Ayr Hospital, only 59.7 per cent of patients were treated within the SNP's target of four hours, well below the 95 per cent goal.

Health secretary Neil Gray said: “Although we have the best performing core A&E departments in the UK, performance is below the level we all wish to see.

"We continue to support Boards as they undertake significant work to make targeted, sustainable improvements to services.

“The pressure being felt by our A&E departments is not unique to Scotland - with similar challenges being felt right across the UK.

"The Scottish Budget for this year provides more than £19.5 billion for health and social care and an extra £500 million for frontline boards.

“Through our winter plan, a record number of NHS 24 call handlers will be available to direct people to the most appropriate care, helping reduce unnecessary A&E attendances.

"We are also working to reduce delayed discharge in hospitals with an increased focus on effective discharge planning.”